Bell peppers baked with cheese
6 servings
40 minutes
Baked bell peppers with cheese are a dish inspired by Bulgarian culinary traditions, where fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs combine with soft, rich cheeses. The baked halves of juicy red pepper serve as the perfect base for a delicate mix of mozzarella, feta, and cottage cheese enhanced by the aroma of garlic, basil, and olive oil. Grilling gives the peppers a light caramelization while the cheesy filling melts into a golden crust. The flavor of the dish is a balance of the sweetness of the pepper, saltiness of the cheeses, and freshness of basil. This magnificent treat is perfect for both a light dinner and a festive table, adding vibrant colors and rich Mediterranean spice aromas.
1
Wash the peppers, cut them in half, and remove the seeds. Do not cut off the stem, leave it for beauty.
2
Place the pepper halves on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and put them under the grill for a short time. The peppers should soften slightly and the edges should brown.
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
3
While the peppers are in the oven, chop the mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, and tomatoes into small cubes (if the tomatoes are very juicy, remove some seeds).
- Mozzarella cheese: 250 g
- Feta cheese: 200 g
- Tomatoes: 2 pieces
4
Put everything in one bowl, add cream cheese, olive oil, ground black pepper, and chopped basil leaves.
- Cream cheese (curd cheese spread): 50 g
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Ground black pepper: to taste
- Green basil: 1 bunch
5
Press the garlic through a garlic press (or chop finely) and add to the cheese mixture.
- Garlic: 2 cloves
6
Add a little dry basil, dry garlic, and oregano (just a bit).
- Dried basil: pinch
- Garlic powder: pinch
- Dried oregano: pinch
7
Remove the peppers from the oven and fill the pepper boats with a mixture of cheeses and spices, drizzling olive oil on top.
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
8
Place the filled boats in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 210 degrees.
9
Once the cheese melts and a golden crust forms, take the peppers out of the oven.
10
Cool slightly and serve.
